Software Architecture coments

Software architecture is a key element in the development of software, in the same way as an architect is a key player in the construction of a building, a software architect plays a very important role when developing software.

If a software project doesn't have a good architecture it will fail dramatically in the future, this means people will encounter a huge number of problems trying to deal with problems that can emerge from the beginning, all the way to the end, or even many years after the project has been completed.

Software architecture is not the same as design, actually they are quite different. Software architecture identifies the key components that the system to develop should have and how these will interact one with another.

The architecture helps to ensure that the there is no repeated work, wasted effort or redundancy, it ensures that all the necessary pieces required for the project are in place and that all the separate sections will come together, just the same way we build Lego structures.

A good system architecture doesn't have to be a long and boring document, in fact it is just the opposite, a proper system architecture should be no larger than a paragraph or a very simple but clear and elegant diagram where the key pieces of the software system are well identified and know there place in the project.

There are many types of architecture style diagrams, the most common diagram is the layered diagram. This diagram shows each main component of the system in a layered structure, being the bottom layer the basis for the next and so on until the most superficial and even esthetic elements that conform the software project.

There are other types of architecture style diagrams, some other examples are the Pipe and Filter, Client/Server, Component Based, Frameworks among others, but the election of which diagram to use depends on the scope and type of the project.

Comments on “Moon Machines: The Navigation Computer”

In the documentary seen in class “Moon Machines: The Navigation Computer” I learned a lot of new stuff  I did not previously know, for example, I didn't know the navigation system used for the Apollo mission in the pursuit of landing a man on the moon was developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is an interesting fact, because usually government contracts such as this one, and of this magnitude are usually given to other kind of institutions that are dedicated specifically to the development of this type of technology. I also learned how such tasks had been done, thing I found it very interesting.

It is fascinating, how such a simple device (I mean simple because it used simple physics tools and techniques, such as accelerometers), could perform such a complex task like guiding a space ship around the moon and eventually landing it with a manned crew and then return them back to earth safely, this is clearly an amazing task, that required years and years of team effort exploring new technologies to overcome the physical and technological limitations at the time.

The efforts involved in this kind of task take place in a number of places. The guidance system leading a man to the moon, was only one small piece of the whole picture the space agency was dealing with. Around the world and across America, numerous teams of engineers were working to complete a piece of the whole operation that eventually had a man land on the moon.

Such systems like the one shown in the documentary are of crucial importance, because if something fails people’s lives could be at risk, so this is why it is so important to test and develop properly.

I think such device marked an era on our society’s evolution. Humans were able to stand on another planet thanks to the work of thousands of engineers from all around the country and the world that designed a system that could be reliable and safe for us to accomplish such amazing tasks. Hopefully this is just the beginning and we will be able to use our capabilities to do things like this and beyond.

About me

About me:

My name is Daniel Alexander Kevans, most people call me by my surname. I study Computer Systems Engineering and am currently enrolled in the 8th semester of my professional studies.

From the subject Software Design and Architecture, I hope to get a more profound knowledge about how real systems work, how they make possible some of our daily activities, how they make so many processes work in an automatic way, even if lives could be at risk if designed wrong, and how to ensure this is done the right way to simplify simple day activities of our life. In a future I would like to contribute in some way by making peoples life easier by designing a solution that involves the basis learned in this course.

About my hobbies and interests, I usually go out a lot with my friends, I give much value to my social life and whenever I can, I take the time to go out and hang out with the people I like.

I am a big fan of oldie rock, bands like the BeeGees, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Oasis among others. I am also a fan of electronic music, specifically Trance.

I am passionate about tennis, I am a fan of both watch it on TV or live, and I love playing, unfortunately I have very little time to do so, but whenever I have the chance I do.

I love technology, hence my inclination to study this, I love the extent of what can be done using technology and I wish I could contribute in some way in the future and be a part of the technological progress we obtain as a society.

I am not a huge lover of traditional reading, by this I mean books, that does not mean I do not inform my self. I turn to other sources of information to keep up, I read the news 3 times a day and I try to be aware of what happens in the country and the world. As well I read articles and do a lot of research about things of my interest.

I recently watched the film "The Imitation Game" and found it excellent, because its an historical story which is related to my interests and never the less its a very well done movie. I Often watch American comedy, such as Big Bang Theory, or Friends. My favorite series of all time is LOST.

Regarding music, I've hardly found new things that are of my interest, so I keep up with the classic songs I do not dislike "fashionable" songs but I don't think they are a big deal.

That's all about me, great day.